GMC publishes fitness to practise data for doctors

The General Medical Council (GMC) has released its annual fitness to practise statistics for 2025, highlighting a sharp rise in concerns raised about doctors but confirming that only a small proportion required formal regulatory action.

The redesigned report, published today, sets out how concerns are assessed from initial triage through to investigation and tribunal outcomes, aiming to give patients, professionals and employers clearer insight into how the system works.

The GMC assessed 13,465 concerns in 2025 — a 25% increase on the previous year. With 410,566 doctors on the register, the regulator says the rise reflects greater engagement with reporting processes rather than a decline in professional standards.

Of the concerns received, 12,146 were closed at triage because they did not meet the legal threshold for investigation. Threshold decisions consider whether the issue relates to a doctor’s fitness to practise, its seriousness, any potential risk to patients or public confidence, and whether the GMC is the appropriate body to act.

A total of 679 cases progressed to case examiners. Their decisions included:

• 184 referrals to an independent Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) tribunal

• 110 warnings

• 60 undertakings, placing restrictions on practice

• 16 advice outcomes

• 309 closures with no further action, often because issues had already been resolved locally

Tribunals considered 160 cases in 2025. Of these, 124 resulted in a finding of impairment, leading to:

• 48 doctors struck off

• 68 suspended

• 7 given conditions

• 1 case with no further action

A further 34 doctors were found not impaired, though 11 received warnings. More than 90% of tribunal cases involved misconduct — including dishonesty or sexual misconduct — or criminal convictions.

GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey said the data shows that serious regulatory action is required only in a small minority of cases. “In 2025, this accounted for just 3% of all registered doctors,” he said. He emphasised the importance of compassion and clarity for everyone involved in concerns, and highlighted the regulator’s expanded liaison adviser network, which works with Responsible Officers across the UK to support consistent decision‑making and understanding of thresholds.

The report also outlines the support available to patients, witnesses and professionals during investigations, aiming to improve transparency and confidence in the regulatory process.

Massey added that while data is essential, “it cannot tell the full story,” stressing the need for clear communication so people feel able to speak up and engage with the system.